The WIAA high school boys basketball is set to begin next week with the first round of regional action on Tuesday, March 3. Below is a preview for Division 4 with a sectional by sectional breakdown.

For all the scores, streams, and game previews, head over to the game pages listed at the links below.

To see my state tournament picks, scroll to the bottom.

1A Half-Sectional
#1 Colfax (15-7, #1 in Bound Power Index)
#2 Clear Lake (17-6, #2 in Bound Power Index)
#3 Chetek-Weyerhaueser (15-8, #5 in Bound Power Index)
#4 McDonell Catholic (11-12, #3 in Bound Power Index)

1B Half-Sectional
#1 Fall Creek (20-3, #1 in Bound Power Index, #7 in Bound/Zaleski Media Poll)
#2 Regis (18-5, #2 in Bound Power Index, #8 in Bound/Zaleski Media Poll)
#3 Osseo-Fairchild (20-3, Dairyland-Large champion, #4 in Bound Power Index)
#4 Durand-Arkansaw (18-5, Dunn-St. Croix champion, #3 in Bound Power Index)

Caleb Arcand, Clear Lake (jr) - 19.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.1 apg
DJ Cooper, Regis (soph) - 18.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 5.0 apg
Brody Greeno, Luther (sr) - 12.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg
Hayden Massman, Bangor (sr) - 21.4 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 4.5 apg
Dayne Mumm, Prairie Farm/Clayton (sr) - 22.6 ppg, 8.0 rpg
Brody Olson, Glenwood City (sr, Bethel U recruit) - 19.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 4.7 apg
Russell Polkoski, Colfax (soph) - 13.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg
Blake Risler, Regis (sr, Saint John’s U recruit) - 27.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.5 apg
Caleb Rombach, Grantsburg (jr) - 21.9 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 4.0 apg
Miles Schmidgall, Fall Creek (jr) - 15.8 ppg, 12.1 rpg, 3.0 apg, 3.0 bpg
Noah Sullivan, Osseo-Fairchild (sr) - 16.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4.1 apg
Jackson Tangley, Fall Creek (jr) - 13.6 ppg, 5.1 apg
Luke Weber, Durand-Arkansaw (jr) - 16.4 ppg, 3.1 apg

Fall Creek and Regis split their season series and are the likely favorites in this sectional. They will likely split the Cloverbelt-West conference championship and are a bit of a contrast of styles, which makes their matchups intriguing. The individual talent, coaching prowess, and team culture makes those two the likely favorites to end up at Madison out of Sectional 1.

There isn’t an obvious upset alert in this bracket, so taking nine-seed Mondovi over eight-seed Melrose-Mindoro will be the pick. Mondovi is a young team, with a handful of sophomores on the roster. The most recent game for the Buffaloes was a six-point win over 1-seed Colfax however. They’ve played some of the best teams in this sectional close, but just haven’t broken through, until that Colfax victory. Sarah Brenner leads a Mondovi squad that the top three scorers are sophomores.

(Not a top 2-seed)

McDonell Catholic is no stranger to success in the playoffs, having been to the state tournament six times in the past ten seasons. Adam Schilling’s group was challenged all season, playing in that difficult Cloverbelt-West league. On the year, McDonell has wins over one-seed Colfax and are led by an upper class group with Eli Stepp and Karson Galvez at the top.

Emphasis on the word ‘potential’

Fall Creek v Regis in sectional semifinal: The go-home game to potentially finish off a season trilogy would be one of the best in Division 4 on that Thursday of sectionals. Jackson Tangley runs point well for the Crickets while Miles Schmidgall is a unicorn in the paint. Blake Risler, DJ Cooper, and Bennett Risler can light up the scoreboard on any given night from deep and can make plays off the dribble. With both games having been single digit wins/losses, the potential for a third matchup between these two is alluring.

Regis

2A Half-Sectional
#1 Marathon (22-1, Marawood-South champion, #1 in Bound Power Index, #3 in Bound/Zaleski Media Poll)
#2 Hurley (20-3, #5 in Bound Power Index)
#3 Neillsville (15-8, #2 in Bound Power Index)
#4 Stratford (16-7, #4 in Bound Power Index)

2B Half-Sectional
#1 Kewaunee (23-0, Packerland champion, #1 in Bound Power Index, #1 in Bound/Zaleski Media Poll)
#2 Bonduel (20-3, CWC-East champion, #2 in Bound Power Index, #5 in Bound/Zaleski Media Poll)
#3 Iola-Scandinavia (19-4, #3 in Bound Power Index)
#4 Saint Mary Catholic (16-8, #4 in Bound Power Index)

Sam Bezlyk, Spencer (sr) - 15.1 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 5.2 apg
Diesel Bosdeck, Kewaunee (soph) - 15.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.7 apg
JJ Heikkinen, Phillips (sr) - 24.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.1 apg
Andrew Hoeser, Neillsville (sr) - 17.5 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 3.2 apg
Connor Kilgore, Kewaunee (sr) - 14.6 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 3.2 apg
Parker Lischka, Algoma (sr) - 20.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg
Korz Loken, Iola-Scandinavia (jr, Wisconsin football recruit) - 14.1 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 2.2 apg
Cooper Michalski, Chequamegon (sr, UW-River Falls recruit) - 17.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg
Alex Robbins, Iola-Scandinavia (jr) - 23.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg
True Thurs, Marathon (sr) - 14.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 4.1 apg
Mason Uhlenbrauck, Saint Mary Catholic (sr, Gustavus Adolphus recruit) - 16.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.1 apg
Quinn Wesenberg, Bonduel (jr) - 19.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.5 apg
Ryan Westrich, Bonduel (sr, Wyoming football recruit) - 17.2 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 2.1 apg
Drew Woelfel, Marathon (sr) - 12.7 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 2.2 apg

Marathon is the favorite at the top. The Red Raiders are two years removed from a state tournament run and seniors Drew Woelfel and True Thurs were on that team. That experience has rolled over into this year’s group that is filled with upperclassmen and have been on a tear in 2025-26. The lone loss for the Red Raiders came against a very good Division 3 Mosinee squad. The top half of this sectional also is lighter in regards to top contenders compared to the bottom, so Marathon does not have quite the gauntlet to get to a sectional final like those in the bottom half.

Kewaunee is the favorite in the bottom half. The Storm are undefeated to this point in the season with just Gibraltar left on the schedule. The bottom half of the sectional is no joke with the top four teams being realistic state tournament options. Head coach Matt Bosdeck has a balanced and deep squad with four players averaging double-digit points and a team that is averaging 18 assists per game. The Storm share the ball well and have defended at a high rate this year.

The game that stands out as a possible first round upset is ten seed Shiocton going on the road and upsetting seven seed Oconto. Shiocton has a win over Berlin, pushed a very good Manitowoc Lutheran team, and lost by just 13 to Bonduel the last time they played.

(Not a top 2-seed)

There are a handful of options here as this is a deep sectional. On the bottom, three-seed Iola-Scandinavia and four-seed Saint Mary Catholic are very talented teams that could make a run at the Kohl. However, the teams on the bottom of that sectional have to battle to get to that point.

My pick comes from the top half where three-seed Neillsville is probably the easiest option to choose to get to a sectional semifinal where they’d face Marathon. Andrew Hoeser is a difference maker for the Warriors and this group can rattle off two wins.

Emphasis on the word ‘potential’

Iola-Scandinavia v Bonduel in regional final: CWC-East rivals, this would be the third game between the two squads. In both matchups, Bonduel came away victorious, however junior wing Alex Robbins sat out with injury in both. He is back now and Iola has not lost since his return.

Kewaunee v Saint Mary Catholic in regional final: The regional finals are going to be challenging in this bottom half with two teams that have been ranked square off. Saint Mary Catholic was challenged in a tough Big East conference this season whereas the Packerland was down as a whole for Kewaunee. The Storm did beat Howards Grove, Brillion, and Bonduel in the non-conference play however.

Marathon v winner of the bottom in sectional final: Predicting the bottom half of the bracket is fools gold as the regional championships and sectional semifinal are going to be great matchups between great teams. Marathon has the favorable path to the sectional final, and if they get there, will face a weathered and challenged team.

Kewaunee

3A Half-Sectional
#1 Darlington (20-3, SWAL champion, #1 in Bound Power Index, #6 in Bound/Zaleski Media Poll)
#2 Cambridge (15-8, Capitol-South champion, #2 in Bound Power Index)
#3 Parkview (19-5, Trailways-South champion, #6 in Bound Power Index)
#4 Iowa-Grant (14-9, #3 in Bound Power Index)

3B Half-Sectional
#1 Lomira (22-1, Flyway champion, #1 in Bound Power Index, #4 in Bound/Zaleski Media Poll)
#2 Horicon (16-7, #3 in Bound Power Index)
#3 Pardeeville (17-7, #6 in Bound Power Index)
#4 Markesan (16-6, Trailways-West champion, #4 in Bound Power Index)

Jake Broeske, Lomira (sr) - 19.6 ppg, 9.5 rpg
Broker Buschor, Darlington (sr) - 15.2 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 3.8 apg
Aiden Crane, Parkview (sr) - 24.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.5 apg
Ryder Fitzsimons, Darlington (soph) - 12.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg
Oliver Friedrich, Parkview (sr) - 22.8 ppg, 9.7 rpg
Jett Horton, Cambridge (sr)
Devin Jerome, Pardeeville (jr) - 20.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 4.7 apg
Barrett Meyer, Horicon (sr) - 19.6 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 3.4 rpg
Jaylen Miggins, Marshall (jr) - 27.8 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.1 apg
Jackson Scholey, Belleville (sr) - 21.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.4 apg
Graham Vredeveld, Markesan (soph) - 15.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg
Zeke Zuberbuhler, Darlington (jr) - 15.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.3 apg

Darlington is the favorite at the top. The Redbirds are a skilled basketball team filled with strong football players that won a state championship on the gridiron in November. That success and weight room dedication leaks over to the hardwood. Zeke Zuberbuhler can be downright un-guardable at times on the court as can Broker Buschor and Ryder Fitzsimons.

Lomira has a balanced guard rotation behind the big man in the middle. Jake Broeske is a difference maker and a next level recruit. With his loss to injury last year the younger guards received important experience that has rolled into the success this year. The Lions are good, have a difference maker in the middle, and can get after it defensively.

(Not a top 2-seed)

Six-seed Marshall is the pick in this one. The Cardinals avoided Lomira in the top half of their half sectional and will need to get three wins over likely Trailways opponents. Marshall holds a 32-point win over three-seed Pardeeville who they’d play in the second round and lost to two-seed Horicon by four on a neutral site earlier in January. Jaylen Miggins is a playmaker, and the up-tempo style can put pressure on opposing offenses.

Emphasis on the word ‘potential’

Darlington v Lomira in sectional final: These two squads are favorable to get to the sectional final compared to other sectionals, which would make for a fun matchup. Darlington doesn’t necessarily have the height to match Lomira’s Jake Broeske, but the strength of their forwards as well as guards could be an equalizer.

Darlington

4A Half-Sectional
#1 Howards Grove (17-6, #2 in Bound Power Index)
#2 Manitowoc Lutheran (17-6, #3 in Bound Power Index, #10 in Bound/Zaleski Media Poll)
#3 Roncalli (18-5, #1 in Bound Power Index)
#4 Winnebago Lutheran (14-9, #5 in Bound Power Index)

4B Half-Sectional
#1 Milwaukee Juneau (20-1, MCC-Blue champion, #1 in Bound Power Index, #2 in Bound/Zaleski Media Poll)
#2 Cedar Grove-Belgium (18-5, #2 in Bound Power Index, #9 in Bound/Zaleski Media Poll)
#3 Dominican (9-14, #3 in Bound Power Index)
#4 Living Word Lutheran (11-11, #5 in Bound Power Index)

Mohammad Badwan, Salam (jr) - 34.9 ppg, 12.0 rpg
Owen Birschbach, New Holstein (soph) - 18.5 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.6 apg
Donovan Cowley, Roncalli (sr) - 22.0 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.9 apg
Trace Damrow, Howards Grove (jr) - 19.4 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.8 apg
Jordan Evans, Living Word Lutheran (soph) - 19.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg
Cash Farrell, Laconia (sr) - 21.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 4.0 apg
Owen Gulke, Cedar Grove-Belgium (sr) - 19.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg
Maddix Gulseth, Roncalli (jr) - 21.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg
Jaden Hardiman, Milwaukee Juneau (sr) - 17.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.8 apg
Zeak Jones, Dominican (jr) - 26.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.2 apg
Dooney Johnson, Milwaukee Juneau (jr, Gonzaga recruit) - 27.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 4.6 apg
Michael Merlo, Random Lake (frosh) - 22.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.5 apg
Chandler Perry, The Prairie School (jr) - 13.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.0 apg
Gannan Schwartz, Winnebago Lutheran (sr) - 20.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 4.0 apg
Takis Tyler, Milwaukee Juneau (sr) - 17.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 5.9 apg

Milwaukee Juneau is the favorite in this sectional. Having one of, if not the, best player in the state is a huge leg up, especially in Division 4. Gonzaga commit Dooney Johnson is incredible on the court and leads a squad with Takis Tyler and Jaden Hardiman that has some top-notch individual talent that can carry them to Madison.

There’s no first round matchup that screams upset alert so I’ll go with ten-seed New Holstein over seven-seed Omro. Omro does get battle tested in the Flyway but New Holstein does have Owen Birschbach who has gone over 20 points per game a decent amount of times this season. Team stat wise, these two matchup relatively similar.

(Not a top 2-seed)

There’s a few you could choose here as six-seed The Prairie School is experienced and has a bunch of players from that state tournament team last year on the roster. Dominican would be an easy choice if the health of the athletes were known. Nearly the entirety of the Knights roster has missed a handful of games this season for one reason or another.

Therefore, my pick will be three-seed Roncalli. The Jets are talented, despite the fact they have been playing without 20-point scorer Donovan Cowley since December. Without him, the Jets beat two-seed Manitowoc Lutheran on Monday night. There is the possibility that Cowley is back come the regional semifinal next Friday. If that is the case, this Jets team just got a whole lot scarier, and become a real possible state tournament team.

Emphasis on the word ‘potential’

Howards Grove v Winnebago Lutheran in regional final: Howards Grove is the one seed and plays in an extremely challenging Big East conference. Winnebago Lutheran has a trump card in senior Gannan Schwartz who can truly take over games. On top of that, the Warriors have wins over Cambridge, Kohler, and Sheboygan Lutheran this year and recently played Beaver Dam and Lomira tough.

Milwaukee Juneau v Dominican in sectional semifinal: If Dominican is healthy, they are the best bet to stand in the way of Juneau getting to Madison. Zeak Jones is a next level basketball player while the rest of the rotation is talented. Health is the biggest question mark here however.

Milwaukee Juneau

Milwaukee Juneau over Regis
Darlington over Kewaunee

Milwaukee Juneau over Darlington

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